Electrochromic privacy window

Abstract

An electrochromic (EC) privacy window includes an EC pane unit including a first EC device having a bright state and a dark state, and a privacy device facing the EC pane unit and having a bright state and a privacy state configured to attenuate visible radiation transmitted through the window. In some embodiments, when the privacy device is in the privacy state, the window has transmitted haze of greater that 80%. In other embodiments, when the privacy device is in the privacy state and the first EC device is in the dark state, the window has a visible transmittance of about 0.1% or less.

Description

FIELD[0001]The present invention is generally directed to electrochromic (EC) windows configured to provide privacy through light modulation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Residential and commercial buildings represent a prime opportunity to improve energy efficiency and sustainability in the United States. The buildings sector alone accounts for 40% of the United States' yearly energy consumption (40 quadrillion BTUs, or “quads”, out of 100 total), and 8% of the world's energy use. Lighting and thermal management each represent about 30% of the energy used within a typical building, which corresponds to around twelve quads each of yearly energy consumption in the US. Windows cover an estimated area of about 2,500 square km in the US and are a critical component of building energy efficiency as they strongly affect the amount of natural light and solar gain that enters a building. Recent progress has been made toward improving window energy efficiency through the use of inexpensiv...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is for an electrochromic window with a privacy device. The window can switch between a bright state and a dark state, and the privacy device can switch between a bright state and a privacy state to control the amount of visible light transmitted through the window. The privacy device can use a switchable mirror, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device, or a tunable liquid crystal filter. The technical effect of this patent is to provide a window with improved privacy and light control for buildings and vehicles.

Problems solved by technology

However, these window coatings are static and not well suited for locations with varying climates.

However, one of the shortcomings of conventional EC windows is the inability to achieve a sufficiently dark state to allow for use in privacy applications.

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